First 2016 Keplinger Cabernet for me and it was a bit of a disappointment compared to the 2015. Might need a bit more time in the cellar but generally speaking it didn’t have the same full body feel when compared to the prior vintage. Medium finish and a touch too sweet, finished a distant fourth for WOTN when compared to a 2009 d’Yquem, 2017 Aubert Lauren and a 2016 Bevan Wildfoote Vixen. Based on other CT notes there might have been some bottle variation as Keplinger is one of my favorite wines.
PNP- Beautiful nose and structure fruit on the palate. Concentrated in it's youth with no hard edges. I would suggest holding this for another 4-6 years to be fully rewarded with several more points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasting among Napa giants consisting of 58 wines. No notes as spitting was frowned upon with my group... even punishable. Top wines 2018 Keplinger Oakville and Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet, Tusk, 2016 Colgin Tychson Hill, 2016 Vine Hill Ranch, Maxem Pinot and Chardonnay (tied for top QPR with La Pelle), La Pelle SB & Cabernet, 2012 Del Dotto Beast. Runner ups 2018 Memento Mori SVDs, 2018 Vice Versa, 2018 Keplinger Sumo and Lithic, 2016 Dana Hershey, 2016 Colgin Cariad and IX Estate.
PnP now these wines have an amazing QPR. While this could be the steal of the vintage the ‘18s (there are two Cabernets Oakville bench and Vine Hill Ranch) might be some of the best wines out there- and that is not an easy statement coming off an amazing year. Buy a bunch and hold as this will blossom into something spectacular in a few years.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
3/23/2023 - citizen1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still early for this wine. Let sit for 60 minutes. Very smooth though tannins still quite evident Another several years should do the trick.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2022 - KTelaak_Buffalo Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine shows remarkably after about 3 hours. Beautifully well balanced. It can age but with some time to open, it's good to go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/21/2022 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 94 Points
Sumptuous cabernet. Smooth and long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2021 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautiful wine. No hard edges and big rich fruit profile.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/15/2021 - YankeeRobio Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very good wine, not knockout stuff, though. Hopefully age will make this a little more complex, very singular right now
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/13/2021 - Giggs wrote: 94 Points
Sensational. Confident yet unpretentious winemaking.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
4/5/2021 - jimyeni wrote: 91 Points
Cherry, espresso with a fair amount of pyrazines. Somewhat juicy. A little too herbal for me
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (8)
8/17/2020 - TXRDW wrote: 93 Points
First 2016 Keplinger Cabernet for me and it was a bit of a disappointment compared to the 2015. Might need a bit more time in the cellar but generally speaking it didn’t have the same full body feel when compared to the prior vintage. Medium finish and a touch too sweet, finished a distant fourth for WOTN when compared to a 2009 d’Yquem, 2017 Aubert Lauren and a 2016 Bevan Wildfoote Vixen. Based on other CT notes there might have been some bottle variation as Keplinger is one of my favorite wines.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
3/23/2020 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 95 Points
PNP- Beautiful nose and structure fruit on the palate. Concentrated in it's youth with no hard edges. I would suggest holding this for another 4-6 years to be fully rewarded with several more points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/7/2019 - LiteItOnFire Likes this wine: 95 Points
Tasting among Napa giants consisting of 58 wines. No notes as spitting was frowned upon with my group... even punishable. Top wines 2018 Keplinger Oakville and Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet, Tusk, 2016 Colgin Tychson Hill, 2016 Vine Hill Ranch, Maxem Pinot and Chardonnay (tied for top QPR with La Pelle), La Pelle SB & Cabernet, 2012 Del Dotto Beast. Runner ups 2018 Memento Mori SVDs, 2018 Vice Versa, 2018 Keplinger Sumo and Lithic, 2016 Dana Hershey, 2016 Colgin Cariad and IX Estate.
PnP now these wines have an amazing QPR. While this could be the steal of the vintage the ‘18s (there are two Cabernets Oakville bench and Vine Hill Ranch) might be some of the best wines out there- and that is not an easy statement coming off an amazing year. Buy a bunch and hold as this will blossom into something spectacular in a few years.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment